Working at Heights

The HSE have stated that falls from heights are the biggest single cause of workplace deaths, and one of the major cause of injury.

In 2005, the Work at Height Regulations were introduced, and amended in 2007. Managers and workers need to understand their responsibilities under these acts and ensure that work systems comply. This is an important health and safety awareness course for all who work at heights or whose employees work at heights.

The course is divided into 5 sections:

Introduction

• What does working at height mean?
• When do falls from height happen?
• What can go wrong and accident information

A safe place of work

• UK law on work at height
• Risk assessment
• Permits to work
• Reporting problems and accidents

Planning and organising

• The hierarchy of control
• Inspections and the workplace
• Duties of persons at work

Platforms and ladders

• Safe use of ladders
• Working platforms
• Scaffolding
• Access and egress
• Mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs)
• Fragile surfaces
• Excavations
• Safe use of man baskets

Fall protection

• Personal fall protection
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Falling objects